spectacular hiking trails around the world

Pass through picturesque fishing villages, vineyards and terraced hills on this 7.5 mile path that follows the Italian Riviera coastline and connects five villages: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare. Far from a challenging hike, the Sentiero Azzurro is almost completely flat and usually requires only about five hours though you should allot plenty of time to stop in each village and enjoy the local cuisine and wine.

Named Best Hike in Hawaii by Backpacker magazine, the Muliwai Trail stretches 9 miles from the Waipio Valley to the Waimanu Valley, allowing hikers to explore old ruins, swimming holes and a black sand beach on the way.

The Haute Route, also known as the High Route or Mountaineers Route, can be traversed on foot or by ski touring. It begins at the foot of Mont Blanc in France s Chamonix Valley and takes backpackers through the Swiss Alps to the foot of the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland. Distant Journeys a company offering guided hikes best describes the incredible trek on its website: Hike beneath imposing peaks and glaciers of the Swiss Alps, wander though alpine meadows and larch forests, cross high, barren passes and descend into lush green valleys. We ll picnic beside cool mountain lakes, stay in remote mountain huts, visit bustling Swiss villages and relax in the tranquility of isolated old world hamlets. Expect at least 12 days if trekking on foot and at least seven days if skiing.

Located in Gros Morne National Park, the 23 mile Long Range Traverse takes experienced backpackers through the Long Range Mountains, offering spectacular views of glaciers, waterfalls, fjords, verdant meadows, granite cliffs and coastal landscapes. The rugged terrain makes this a difficult hike, and most backpackers need about four to five days to complete the trek.

This wilderness preserve is home to 17,000 miles of trails, which are traversed by all sorts of adventurers, from day hikers and backpackers to horseback riders and cross country skiers. The complex consists of three wilderness areas: the Great Bear, the Bob Marshall so named for Robert Bob Marshall, the forester, conservationist, writer, wilderness activist and one of the founders of the Wilderness Society and the Scapegoat. Explorers will find themselves surrounded by rugged peaks, alpine lakes, grassy meadows, lush forests and cascading waterfalls. One of the highlights of the area is the Chinese Wall, a 22 mile long limestone escarpment that averages 1,000 feet and is part of the Great Divide. The preserve has the highest population density of grizzly bear in all of the United States outside of Alaska.

Though there are plenty of smaller hikes including day hikes available, the full, long distance Bibbulmun Track spans 620 miles of Western Australia, from Kalamunda in the Perth Hills to the historic town of Albany on the south coast. Attempting the full trek takes approximately 60 days and leads backpackers through forests, tranquil farmland, vineyards, waterfalls, wild beaches and granite boulders. Named after the Bibbulmun Nyoongar an aboriginal group that traveled long distances on foot for ceremonies the Bibb passes through 22 national parks and other reserves, offering glimpses of beautiful coast scenery, wildflower displays and wildlife, such as emus, kangaroos, seals, dolphins and whales.

Aaren Adventures best describes this strenuous five to six day trek through South Africa s highest mountain range: A trek across this epic landscape begins by ascending chain ladders to reach the top of this barrier and the plateau of Mount aux Sources, where the Tugela River plunges 3,110 feet off the top in a series of five cascades that make for the second highest waterfall in the world. From here, the trek crosses the high plateau broken by rock formations, views out across the cliffs, and the huts of Sotho herdsman before it works its way down past more waterfalls and river crossings before meeting up with the welcome civilization of the Cathedral Peak Hotel.

A true wilderness lover s adventure, the 195 mile Sierra High Route runs north to south through the Sierra Nevada, crossing 33 passes without any clearly marked trails. Most backpackers choose to tackle one of its five segments, though Backpacker magazine editor Steve Howe hiked the entire thing in one month in 2006. Also known as the Roper Route, this hike is the brainchild of mountaineer Steve Roper, who sought an alternative to the heavily pounded John Muir Trail, says National Geographic. It passes through Kings Canyon National Park, the Inyo National Forest and Yosemite National Park and involves a good deal of boulder hopping and long stretches of peaceful solitude.

The ultimate way to experience Yosemite National Park, the 14 to 16 mile round trip hike up the Half Dome Yosemite s famous granite dome can be accomplished by even the average, in shape person with some preparation. Most hikers need about 10 to 14 hours to get to the top and back, and the trek offers some incredible views of Vernal and Nevada Falls, Yosemite Valley, the Half Dome, Liberty Cap and the High Sierra. Perhaps the most popular part of the hike is the last 400 feet to the summit two metal cables allow hikers to climb without rock climbing equipment.

What began as a wooden ladder installed on a cliff for workers stringing antenna cables evolved into an incredible and challenging trail consisting of approximately 3,922 steps. Unfortunately, the Haiku Stairs were closed to the public in 1987, but there s still a way to legally access them and it s not for the amateur hiker. Expert hikers can climb to the top of the stairs from the other side of the island and take the trail down.